Mass. transportation chief tours Framingham, Ashland

Friday

The state's new transportation secretary toured infrastructure in Framingham and Ashland today while coming up to speed on planned transportation projects and needs in MetroWest.

The state's new transportation secretary toured infrastructure in Framingham and Ashland today while coming up to speed on planned transportation projects and needs in MetroWest.

Department of Transportation Secretary Richard Davey's tour, led by state Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, started at the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority bus hub building on Waverly Street in Framingham, where they met with MWRTA administrator Ed Carr.

Davey also saw the downtown Framingham commuter rail station nearby, and the Rte. 126/135 at-grade train crossing on the Worcester-Boston line, and the CSX freight rail yards.

Residents and town leaders in Framingham and Ashland have worried about traffic getting worse without state-funded infrastructure upgrades if commuter rail service is expanded in the region.

"Access to public transportation is critical to maintain a high quality of life for residents and expanding commuter rail service in our region will help ensure the economic vibrancy of these communities and their residents,” Spilka said in a statement. “As two towns centrally located in the MetroWest region, Framingham and Ashland need support in having their infrastructure needs met and assisting these municipalities is essential to maintaining the level of economic activity MetroWest businesses and the quality of life MetroWest residents enjoy."

The tour ended in Ashland Center, where Davey saw the at-grade train crossing there, also along the Worcester-Boston line.

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